Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Children, Education & Families

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/114

Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: (01865) 816445

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA10).

At the meeting on 16 July 2013, the Cabinet agreed to the publication of formal proposals to expand Watchfield Primary School from 1.5 form entry to 2 form entry. The report outlining the basis for this decision is available to view on Oxfordshire County Council’s website under the Cabinet papers.

The statutory notice (attached at Annex 1) was published by the Authority in the Swindon Advertiser on 4 September 2013 and expired following 4 weeks of formal consultation on 2 October 2013. In accordance with legislation the notice was also posted at the school gate and sent to the local library. A copy of the full proposal (attached at Annex 2) and the notices were sent to the governing body and the Secretary of State and additionally made available on the Oxfordshire County Council website.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the permanent expansion of Watchfield Primary School with effect from 1 September 2014.

The Cabinet had before them a report (CA10) which, following a formal consultation period in September 2013, proposed  an expansion of Watchfield Primary Schools to two forms of entry with effect form 1 September 2014.

The proposal was to increase the formal published admission number from 45 to 60 children, on a permanent basis from September 2014. This would eventually increase the school’s total capacity from its current 315 places in Years F1- Y6 to a maximum of 420. Additional classroom and supporting spaces would need to be created at the school to accommodate the increase in pupil numbers and a feasibility study would investigate how thoose could best be provided.  

Watchfield Primary School planed to convert to an academy in November 2013, joining a Multi-Academy Trust. The proposal to expand the school had been discussed with the MAT co-ordinator prior to commencement of the consultation process and they were supportive of the proposal.

RESOLVED: to approve the permanent expansion of Watchfield Primary School with effect from 1 September 2014.